2008 Woodie Awards
University receives $560,860 for technological upgrades
Chloe Thompson
Issue date: 2/12/08 Section: News
02/12/08 - The University of Rhode Island recently became the recipient of $560,860 to upgrade its technological facilities in departments such as journalism, archaeology and biotechnology.
The Champlin Foundations, according to its Web site, donates to Rhode Island's tax-exempt organizations for capital needs.
In this case, the money went toward a variety of high-tech equipment for students and staff at URI to use for years to come.
One use for the grant money will come in the form of an Opportunity Zone Center for those within the Honors Program at URI. The center will cost $69,690.
"This is a major push to try and improve our capabilities for our best students," said Director of the Honors Program Richard McIntyre.
The Opportunity Zone will provide mock interview rooms made to mimic the "clubby kind of atmosphere," that will prepare students to interview for national scholarships such as the Rhodes or Fulbright Scholars awards.
The set up of the room will also include informational booths on the various national scholarships, research areas and a conference room.
"There's been a discussion of this need for a long, long time," McIntyre said. "We need to work with students ... to think about themselves as candidates for national scholarships."
On a different note, $106,000 from the Foundations will combine with a $394,000 grant from the Rhode Island Division of Technology, according to a press release, to set up an auditorium in the new Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences.
The 300-seat auditorium will be equipped with new audio-visual hardware and software, Associate Dean of the College of the Environment and Life Sciences Richard Rhodes III, said.
"I cannot wait to open the doors of that building," he said, adding that the auditorium will be mainly based upon general education courses and will therefore host larger audiences.
"What we're hoping to create is ... a highly engaging ... high-tough auditorium that would really foster advanced learning in our students," he said.
The Champlin Foundations, according to its Web site, donates to Rhode Island's tax-exempt organizations for capital needs.
In this case, the money went toward a variety of high-tech equipment for students and staff at URI to use for years to come.
One use for the grant money will come in the form of an Opportunity Zone Center for those within the Honors Program at URI. The center will cost $69,690.
"This is a major push to try and improve our capabilities for our best students," said Director of the Honors Program Richard McIntyre.
The Opportunity Zone will provide mock interview rooms made to mimic the "clubby kind of atmosphere," that will prepare students to interview for national scholarships such as the Rhodes or Fulbright Scholars awards.
The set up of the room will also include informational booths on the various national scholarships, research areas and a conference room.
"There's been a discussion of this need for a long, long time," McIntyre said. "We need to work with students ... to think about themselves as candidates for national scholarships."
On a different note, $106,000 from the Foundations will combine with a $394,000 grant from the Rhode Island Division of Technology, according to a press release, to set up an auditorium in the new Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences.
The 300-seat auditorium will be equipped with new audio-visual hardware and software, Associate Dean of the College of the Environment and Life Sciences Richard Rhodes III, said.
"I cannot wait to open the doors of that building," he said, adding that the auditorium will be mainly based upon general education courses and will therefore host larger audiences.
"What we're hoping to create is ... a highly engaging ... high-tough auditorium that would really foster advanced learning in our students," he said.